The author, Carl Beauchamp, is a resilient and optimistic Sydney man who grew up in the care of an alcoholic mother in Glebe and Newtown in the 1940s and ’50s, was abused by members of a paedophile ring while living at the Church of England Charlton Boys Home at Glebe, but went on to become a father of four, grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 17. Carl is still married to his first love, Beryl.

Despite the hardships Carl faced, his is an uplifting story containing colourful scenes of life growing up in the Inner West in those days, such as racing painted paddlepop stick ‘horses’ through the drains of Newtown.*

Carl has been active in encouraging former inmates of the boys’ home to come forward to give evidence to the Royal Commission and is a remarkable character who will inspire his audience on Sunday and all who read his story in Come Home, You Little Bastards.

*If you can make it to the launch, please bring a paddlepop stick bearing the name of your favourite racehorse so you can be part of the re-enactment of Carl’s childhood game in King Street on Sunday.